The Female Supporting Character Refuses to Be Human Again - Chapter 207.2

The two hunters finally felt a sense of relief settling in after all the earlier chaos. It was then that they noticed the green-wrapped bundle in Meng Changjin’s arms, which piqued their curiosity.

“What’s that?” they asked, both of them eyeing the bundle with interest.

Meng Changjin opened the green-leaf package, revealing its contents while reciting a well-prepared explanation. She had already thought of the perfect story to convince them. The hunters, who had heard about Meng Changjin’s heavenly blessings from the Chieftains, didn’t doubt her words at all. They believed Meng Changjin’s tale without hesitation.

As they stared at the bundle’s contents, their eyes lit up like stars. According to Meng Changjin, this was a type of food that could be boiled and eaten, with the key feature being its ability to stay fresh for a very long time. Compared to meat, which spoils quickly, this was a game-changer.

But the most shocking revelation was that this plant could be cultivated by the Yan Tribe themselves. That meant they might not need to risk their lives hunting all the time! The thought left the two hunters stunned, unsure if this massive change was a blessing or a curse.

“If we don’t have to hunt anymore, what do we do?” one of them murmured, as they stared into the future with bewildered expressions.

Despite their uncertainty, they reminded Meng Changjin to guard the bundle carefully and to make sure it didn’t get lost. Meng Changjin assured them that she would take the utmost care with it, as if it were her most valuable treasure.

The cave fell silent for a moment after that brief conversation. Then, curiosity got the better of the hunters, and they began asking Meng Changjin what else she had learned from her heavenly knowledge.

Seeing their eagerness, Meng Changjin decided to share some basic modern knowledge, cleverly disguising it as mystical wisdom from her so-called heavenly teachings. As she spoke of raising animals in pens, agricultural techniques, and how people in her world didn’t have to hunt daily, the two hunters listened with rapt attention.

“Keeping animals in pens and slaughtering them only when you need to eat…” they repeated in amazement, their eyes wide with wonder. To them, such a lifestyle sounded like an impossible dream, far removed from their current reality.

Meng Changjin observed their reactions closely, noting their disbelief mixed with fascination. It was clear that some concepts were too far-fetched for them to accept right away. That was fine—she knew that great changes couldn’t happen overnight. Ideas that seemed impossible now would gradually become attainable as they adjusted to new ways of thinking.

She paused after a while, letting the hunters absorb what she had told them. When she suddenly stopped speaking, both hunters gave her puzzled looks, wanting to hear more.

Meng Changjin shrugged and spread her hands, feigning helplessness. “That’s all the heavenly knowledge I’ve been given,” she said with a smile.

Though disappointed, the hunters understood that heavenly wisdom wasn’t something they could demand at will. Meng Changjin had shared all she could.

Switching the topic, they began to probe how Meng Changjin had managed to kill the Striped Beast so easily. They marveled at her strength, and Meng Changjin simply credited her skills to her “heavenly teachings.” She figured, why not? If they believed she’d received knowledge, why not let them think she’d gained combat skills too?

Their reaction was exactly as she expected—utter envy. They wished they could receive such blessings too, though they knew it was just a fantasy. Heavenly gifts, after all, were not for everyone.

The mood in the cave became light and cheerful as they continued to chat. Meanwhile, back in the forest, the Chieftains were dealing with a less-than-ideal hunting situation. Their expedition had been mediocre at best—not a disaster but not a grand success either.

As night began to fall, the hunting party decided to return to the supply point with their catch. But as they neared the cave, they heard distant animal roars echoing through the forest. And it wasn’t just one beast; it sounded like a pack.

The Chieftains’ first thought was of danger. Their immediate concern was for Meng Changjin—what if she was in trouble? The memory of the Wu’s warning about Meng Changjin’s importance flashed through their minds, and their hearts sank with dread.

Just then, someone spotted the mark left behind by the hunters at the supply point. One of the Chieftains quickly examined the signs, feeling a surge of relief wash over him.

The mark indicated that no one was hurt and that the team had moved to the second supply point for safety. Even so, the Chieftain couldn’t shake the worry that the sign might have been left before anything went wrong. He needed to see Meng Changjin in person to feel truly at ease.

Leading the team away from the compromised cave, they hurried to the new location. As they approached the second supply point, the faint glow of firelight filtered through the hanging vines at the entrance, easing some of their concerns.

When the Chieftains entered the cave and saw Meng Changjin safe and sound, only then did they allow themselves to relax completely. The Wu’s words echoed in their minds: Meng Changjin’s value to the tribe was beyond measure. Losing her would be a greater blow than losing a successful hunt.

The Chieftain thought back to the Wu’s cryptic smile when he had suggested that Meng Changjin stay safely within the tribe. The Wu had said, “The Yan Tribe needs its protector to remain in the village, but Meng Changjin has a different purpose. She is too important to keep hidden away.”

🌱 Kliraz’s Curious Cat Corner: “From Hunter-Gatherers to Future Farmers! (・∀・)”

Alright, let’s talk about the big reveal of cultivating plants in this chapter! (＾▽＾) Meng Changjin’s suggestion that the tribe could grow their own food is a massive leap from their current hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Historically, this shift is one of the most significant transformations any society can undergo, known as the Agricultural Revolution. This change happened around 10,000 BC when humans began to domesticate plants and animals, leading to the formation of stable communities and the rise of civilizations. (Diamond, J. (1997). Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. W.W. Norton & Company.)

For the Yan Tribe, the idea of not having to hunt every day must seem as miraculous as pulling food out of thin air! In ancient China, particularly during the Neolithic period, the transition to agriculture was marked by the cultivation of millet in the north and rice in the south. These crops allowed communities to store surplus food, leading to population growth and the development of more complex societies. Meng Changjin’s suggestion to grow their own food taps into this same revolutionary concept. (Chang, K. C. (1986). The Archaeology of Ancient China. Yale University Press.)

Other cultures worldwide experienced similar revolutions. For example, the Indigenous peoples of the Americas domesticated maize (corn) and built vast agricultural societies long before European contact. This agricultural knowledge was passed down through generations, transforming their societies into rich cultures that thrived on sustainable farming. Imagine how this one idea could reshape the entire Yan Tribe’s future! (^‿^)

It’s not just about food—it’s about freedom from the daily grind of survival, a chance to focus on other aspects of life, like culture, art, and innovation. As they say, you reap what you sow, and Meng Changjin just planted some seeds of change! (•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑